Amazon integrates Yelp search results into Echo Bluetooth speaker

If you’re not the sort of person creeped out by voice control permeating our everyday lives, then you’ll be pleased to hear that Amazon’s Echo assistant is now integrated with Yelp recommendations.

Alexa taps into Yelp’s massive database of recommendations to provide information about businesses located near you, Echo users can tap into Local Search results for nearby businesses and easily see what options are available closeby. So, if you bug digital assistant Alexa and inquire about the best local restaurants to eat at, she’ll be able to let you know about the Yelp star ratings for particular places you’re considering. Should you require the phone number of nearby restaurants and business, Amazon recommends using the following phrase, “Find the phone number for a nearby [business/restaurant]”.

In order to use the new Yelp integration, you’ll need to set up your location with Amazon’s Alexa app. In the navigation panel of the app, select Settings and find your device. So if you’re just about to hop in the auto to head out to a new thai spot, you can quickly ask Alexa what time they close to make sure you’re not in for an unpleasant surprise.

Amazon’s Echo device has been pretty popular among users and Amazon is in no mood to stop making it more awesome than it already is: Amazon is now going to incorporate Yelp’s search results in Echo.

Other updates that recently hit the Amazon Echo include a new sports update feature, which will allow you ask Alexa for the most up-to-date information about your favorite sports teams’ games and schedules.

Amazon has been gradually increasing the number of things that Alexa is able to do, the company says that it will continue to add more local search features in the next few weeks.

All in all, Echo has become quite kickass.